2015 Expressive Arts & Autism Conference

Expressive Arts & Autism Conference

30th & 31st May 2015

in

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Conducted by

Dr Stephen Shore | Joanne Lara M.A.

Dr Jane Ferris Richardson | Elaine Hall

Experts in the field of autism will offer insight into how to create and sustain ongoing classes in dance, drama, music and art for individuals with autism and learning needs. The presenters have worked collaboratively over the course of a decade in Los Angeles and throughout California to develop this multi model, hands on teaching approach. They will also share their experience in helping to empower the individual for self advocacy and reform the job opportunities with arts and other skills.

Inviting

Professionals, para-professionals and parents of all disciplines are welcome.

Dr Stephen Shore was diagnosed with “Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies” and “too sick” for outpatient treatment Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Stephen is now a professor at Adelphi University where his research focuses on matching best practice to the needs of people with autism.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies., and the newly released DVD Living along the Autism Spectrum: What it means to have Autism or Asperger Syndrome.

President emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England and former board member of the Autism Society, Dr. Shore serves in the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association, United States Autism and Asperger Association, and other autism related organizations.

Joanne Lara, MA Adjunct Faculty National UniversityJoanne Lara, a professional dancer turned classroom education specialist turned university professor, has dedicated her life’s work to improving the lives of individuals with autism through movement and music. Her advocacy has led to founding the nonprofit organization Autism Movement Therapy®, the recipient of two Autism Speaks grants, home based in Los Angeles, California. Autism Movement Therapy certifies, trains, and licenses dancers, educators, parents, and professional service providers across the United States, Canada, India, Malaysia, South America, UK and Europe in the beneficial role that movement and music can play in the speech and language, behavioral, and cognitive domains of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Joanne is a core adjunct professor at National University in LA, California, and helped design the Autism Certificate. She was the Technical Advisor/Autism Consultant for Kiefer Sutherland’s FOX TV show Touch. Lara earned her master’s in special education, Moderate/Severe and Multiple Disabilities, from California State University, Northridge, and a BA in Dance from the University of South Florida. She holds a CCTC California Moderate/Severe Education Specialist K–12 teaching credential and taught in the LAUSD for over ten years, where she worked exclusively with students with autism.

Elaine Hall – also known as “Coach E!” and called “the child whisperer” by The New York Times – was a top Hollywood children’s acting coach whose life changed dramatically after her son Neal, adopted from a Russian orphanage, was diagnosed with autism. When traditional behavioral therapies did not work for him, she sought the esteemed Dr. Stanley Greenspan who encouraged her to rally creative people to join Neal’s world. Slowly, he emerged out of his isolation.

Hall then created The Miracle Project, a theatre and film social skills program profiled in the Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary Autism: The Musical, which now has locations in Los Angeles and New York City. A media personality, she blogs for The Huffington Post and has appeared on CNN, CBS, Oprah Radio, and Autism Radio and been featured in The LA Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. She has received honors from Autism Speaks, the Autism Society of Los Angeles, the Mayor of Los Angeles, Senator Pavley, Areva Martin, Holly Robinson Peete, Etta Israel, and the Shalom Institute. Los Angeles Magazine named her one of “Los Angeles’s 50 most inspiring women.”

Her memoir, Now I See the Moon, was chosen for World Autism Awareness Day at the United Nations, where she has spoken several times. Now I See the Moon was recently selected for Jewish Disability Awareness Month in February 2013. Hall presented her latest book, Seven Keys to Unlock Autism: Creating Miracles in the Classroom, at an international conference in Jerusalem. She directs an arts enrichment and religious education program at Vista Del Mar.

An international keynote speaker and workshop leader, Elaine Hall calls attention to the modern-day epidemic of autism while celebrating the value of the human spirit in overcoming any challenge. http://www.harpercollinsspeakersbureau.com/speaker/elaine-hall/

Registration / Payment

Normal Fees: RM 1,950/- for 2 days and RM 1,050/- for 1 day – valid until the 14th of May 2015.

Late Registration Fees: RM 2,150/- for 2 days and RM 1,200/- for 1 day – from the 15th of May 2015 onwards.

In order to receive a partial refund, please send a written notice of cancellation via email to pesonaempower{at}gmail.com and attention to Ms. Christina Jeremiah not later than the 15th of May 2015. Alternatively you can also telephone or SMS Ms. Christina Jeremiah at 60 10 2329035 and cancel by the 15th of May 2015.

All cancellations are subject to a cancellation fee of 25% of payments received by PESONA EMPOWERMENT HUB. No refund shall be made under any circumstances for any notice of cancellation received after the 15th of May 2015, however a substitute delegate may be named, provided that PESONA EMPOWERMENT HUB is notified of such substitution prior to the commencement date of the event.

PESONA EMPOWERMENT HUB reserves the right to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances. PESONA EMPOWERMENT HUB is not liable for any expenses incurred by the participants. This workshop may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond the control of the organizers.